NCAAF Trends and Indexes - Bowl Season (Sat., Dec. 15 - Mon., Jan. 7)

Bowl Season

NCAAF Trends and Indexes

Saturday, December 15 - Monday, January 7

Additional trends and information will be added as available.

NOTE:

As information becomes available, we will attempt to post the trends and indexes as soon as possible.
Information is posted from what we believe are reliable sources.
Any opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the posting member or BettorsChat.

LSU favorites versus unbeaten UCF, and opening lines for every College Football Bowl Game
Patrick Everson

The LSU Tigers go into their Fiesta Bowl matchup with Central Florida as 7.5-point favorites, but the public might lean towards the unbeaten Golden Knights to cover.

While everyone is still buzzing about – and arguing over – the College Football Playoff selections, it’s worth pointing out that there are a bevy of other intriguing bowl matchups. We check in on the opening lines and early action for four of those contests, and gets you the opening and current lines for every other bowl game, with insights from Derek Wilkinson, supervisor at The SuperBook at Westgate in Las Vegas.

Central Florida hasn’t lost since its bowl game two years ago, going 13-0 SU and 8-4-1 ATS last season, and sitting at 12-0 SU and 9-3 ATS this year. The Knights beat Memphis 56-41 as 1-point home favorites in the American Athletic Conference championship game.

That gave UCF a second straight shot at an SEC team in bowl season, as the Knights upset Auburn in last season’s Peach Bowl.

Louisiana State finished the regular season in a monster of a game, albeit a loss. The Tigers (9-3 SU, 6-6 ATS) went off as 3-point underdogs at Texas A&M and pushed the contest to seven overtimes before falling 74-72.

“We purposely set this line just above a touchdown to give the people something to think about,” Wilkinson said of opening LSU -7.5 for this New Year’s Day game. “This will be the toughest team, by far, that UCF has played all year, but I think the public will like an undefeated team getting more than a touchdown. I’m anticipating that the line will come down to -7 pretty soon.”

Rose Bowl

No. 9 Washington Huskies vs. No. 6 Ohio State Buckeyes (-5.5)

Ohio State is feeling much like a bridesmaid after winning the Big Ten title, but finishing sixth in the CFP rankings and missing the four-team playoff. The Buckeyes (12-1 SU, 6-7 ATS) dumped Northwestern 45-24 laying 16.5 points in the conference title game in Indianapolis.

Washington upended Washington State on the road in Week 13 to snare a spot in the Pac-12 title game, then took full advantage of it. The Huskies (10-3 SU, 4-9 ATS) slogged past Utah 10-3 giving 4.5 points in Santa Clara, Calif., to earn a spot in this New Year’s Day game.

“This line feels a little too high to me. We haven’t seen much action on it yet, but I think the sharps will like Washington,” Wilkinson said. “The public usually likes Ohio State, especially when the Buckeyes are the higher-ranked team. However, look for this line to drop to 4.5 or even 4 throughout the next couple of weeks.”

Sugar Bowl

No. 15 Texas Longhorns vs. No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs (-11)

Georgia is also feeling left out this week, finishing one spot out of the CFP, a year after reaching the national championship game. The Bulldogs (11-2 SU, 8-5 ATS) went into the Southeastern Conference title game as 11-point underdogs to Alabama, led 28-14 in the third quarter, but couldn’t score again and ended up losing 35-28.

Texas won its last three regular-season games to land a spot in the Big 12 final last weekend. The Longhorns (9-4 SU, 5-7-1 ATS) then came up short against Oklahoma, losing 39-27 as 9.5-point neutral-site pups at AT&T Stadium.

“Texas just lost to Oklahoma, and I think Georgia is quite a bit better than the Sooners,” Wilkinson said. “That said, I think Georgia -11 is a little high. I think the wiseguys will like Texas plus the points and that the line will drop some.”

This Big 12-SEC clash wraps up the New Year’s Day bowls, with an 8:45 p.m. ET start.

Gator Bowl

North Carolina State Wolfpack vs. No. 19 Texas A&M Aggies (-4.5)

Texas A&M, which gave CFP selectee Clemson all it could handle back in September, finished the regular season on a three-game win streak. In the finale, the Aggies (8-4 SU and ATS) outlasted LSU in seven overtimes, winning 74-72 as 3-point home favorites.

North Carolina State won its last three games and four of five to cap the regular season. The Wolfpack (9-3 SU, 6-6 ATS) went out of conference to finish up, whomping East Carolina 58-3 as 24.5-point home faves.

“We took a sharp bet on A&M (Monday) and moved the line to -5,” Wilkinson said of action on this Dec. 31 matchup. “The Aggies are coming off an epic win against LSU, and I think they’re going to carry that momentum into this one. N.C. State has been playing well lately, but the Wolfpack haven’t been facing teams as good as A&M.”

The College Football Playoff is set after Sunday’s announcement of the nation’s top four teams. Unbeaten and top-ranked Alabama will square off against No. 4 Oklahoma, the Big 12 champion, at the Orange Bowl in Miami in one semifinal matchup on Dec. 29.

The other game is also on Dec. 29 and will be at Jerry World in Arlington, where undefeated and second-ranked Clemson will take on unbeaten No. 3 Notre Dame in the Cotton Bowl. The winners will collide in the finals on Jan. 7 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern in Santa Clara at Levi’s Stadium, the home of the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers.

As of Sunday night, most betting shops had Alabama (13-0 straight up, 8-5 against the spread) installed as a 14-point favorite with a total of 79.5. The Sooners were +400 on the money line (risk $100 to win $400).

Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa had to leave the SEC Championship Game with a foot injury that’s expected to have him sidelined for at least two weeks. Without the sophomore QB, back-up and former starter Jalen Hurts rallied the Crimson Tide from a 28-14 deficit to win 35-28 over Georgia in an epic thriller.

Lincoln Riley’s squad avenged its only loss of the season – a 48-45 setback vs. Texas in the Red River Rivalry – by beating the Longhorns 39-27 in Saturday’s Big 12 Championship Game at Jerry World. The Sooners will be underdogs for the first time this season. They were ‘dogs three times last year in Riley’s first season since taking over for Bob Stoops, compiling a 2-1 record both SU and ATS. OU lost a 54-48 decision to Georgia as a 2.5-point ‘dog in last year’s CFP semifinals in Pasadena.

This is Oklahoma’s richest underdog spot since the 2013 Sugar Bowl, where OU thumped Alabama by a 45-31 count as a 15-point puppy. The Sooners have won outright in both of their most recent situations as double-digit ‘dogs, beating Oklahoma St. 33-24 in Stillwater as 10-point road ‘dogs in the 2013 regular-season finale.

These storied programs played a home-and-home series back in 2002 and 2003. OU won a 37-27 decision in Norman as a 12.5-point favorite. The Sooners went to Tuscaloosa the following season and won 20-13 at ‘Bama, but the Tide covered the number once again as a 7.5-point home underdog.

Clemson won the ACC title with a 42-10 win over Pittsburgh as a 27.5-point ‘chalk.’ As of Sunday night, most books had the Tigers listed as 11-point favorites against the Fighting Irish. The total was in the 55-56 range and Notre Dame was +325 to win outright (paid $325 on $100 wagers).

Dabo Swinney’s club is in the CFP for the fourth straight year. Like ‘Bama, Clemson has been a double-digit favorite in all 13 of its games, winning by at least 20 points 11 times. Meanwhile, Brian Kelly’s bunch is an underdog for only the second time this season. The Irish beat Michigan 24-17 in its opener as a 2.5-point home underdog. They haven’t been double-digit ‘dogs since the 2016 regular-season finale resulted in a non-cover when USC beat them 45-27 as 17.5-point home ‘chalk.’

Georgia finished No. 5 and Ohio State, the Big Ten champ, was sixth in the final CFP poll. The Bulldogs will meet Texas in the Sugar Bowl, while Ohio State will face Washington at the Rose Bowl. As of Sunday night, most spots had the Bulldogs favored by 10.5 points, while the Buckeyes were 4.5-point ‘chalk’ vs. UW.

Other New Year’s Six matchups include LSU (-7.5) vs. UCF at the Sugar Bowl and Michigan (-6) vs. Florida at the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl. Michigan junior DE Rashan Gary announced Sunday that’s he’s turning pro and will not play in his team’s bowl game. Gary had 44 tackles, four tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and five QB hurries in nine games.

Top-seeded Alabama (13-0) will continue its quest for a second consecutive national championship in the Orange Bowl on Dec. 29, when the Crimson Tide will take on the fourth-seeded Sooners (12-1) - who got to the College Football Playoff semifinals on the strength of their Big 12 championship win over Texas.

''Sooner Nation, we just got some great news,'' Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley said in a video posted to Twitter shortly after the announcement was made.

The Crimson Tide knew they were headed to the playoff. What the defending champions don't know is who will be at quarterback for their semifinal matchup.

Alabama starter Tua Tagovailoa was diagnosed Sunday with a high right ankle sprain, Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban said. When Tagovailoa went down in the Southeastern Conference title game Saturday - a game where Alabama had to rally past Georgia - the Tide turned to former starter Jalen Hurts, who threw for one touchdown and then ran for the winning TD with about a minute left.

Tagovailoa will be scoped in an effort to accelerate the ankle's healing process, and Saban said Alabama is thinking his recovery could take two weeks.

''We're hopeful that by the time we get started in practice, he'll be ready to go,'' Saban said.

Oddsmakers don't seemed worried, and listed Alabama as about a two-touchdown favorite.

''We've got a lot of respect for the team that we're getting ready to play, no question about that,'' Riley said. ''But we've got a formula that we believe in and we've got a program that's used to winning and players that are used to winning. We know it's going to be a great challenge, but we're going to go prepare like we do and our goal will be for us to be at our very best.''

Ohio State, Georgia and even UCF all felt deserving of a spot, but the selection committee obviously believed Oklahoma's resume was the best off that long list of contenders for the fourth and final entry into the playoff.

''There was a lot of debate about Oklahoma, Georgia and Ohio State,'' CFP committee chairman Rob Mullens said. ''The debate was deep, detailed, and occasionally contentious. There was division.''

Alabama has won 15 consecutive games, starting with its two wins in last season's playoff. Oklahoma's only defeat this season was to Texas, a 48-45 game on a neutral field in Dallas on Oct. 6 - and the Sooners won the rematch in Saturday's Big 12 title game, 39-27.

It's a matchup of the two highest-scoring teams in the nation this season. Oklahoma, led by Heisman Trophy hopeful quarterback Kyler Murray, averages 49.5 points per game. Alabama averages 47.9 points per game.

Murray has faced Alabama once before: He was 2 for 4 passing for Texas A&M in a game against the Tide in 2015.

''I think he's about as dynamic as any player I've seen all season long,'' Saban said.

Alabama is going to the Orange Bowl for the ninth time. This will be Oklahoma's 20th trip to the Orange Bowl, extending the Sooners' record for most appearances in the game.

Alabama-Oklahoma got slotted for the Orange Bowl instead of the Cotton Bowl in part because of how close the Sooners' home is to Dallas. It would have largely been a home game for Oklahoma had this matchup been in the Cotton Bowl.

''I didn't have a preference at all,'' Saban said. ''I knew that we would be playing a good team in a first-class venue, wherever we played.''

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Clemson played Notre Dame during a hurricane on the way to its first College Football Playoff appearance.

Now the ACC champion Tigers (13-0, No. 2 CFP) are in football's final four for the fourth season in a row, and taking on playoff first-timer Notre Dame (12-0, No. 3 CFP) in the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 29.

The national semifinal will be the first meeting for the teams since that October 2015 game, when Clemson won 24-22 at home while playing in heavy rains from Hurricane Joaquin as it hit the East Coast.

''I will never forget that game,'' Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said Sunday. ''It was an amazing game. Both teams truly left it all on the field. We played in a hurricane, literally a hurricane. ... They were an amazing opponent. And I think, you know, both teams walked away from the game with great respect for each other.''

When they play again for a spot in the national championship game, there will be no concerns about the weather. The Cotton Bowl is played at AT&T Stadium, which has a retractable roof.

Notre Dame has its first undefeated regular season since 2012 when the Irish were 12-0 before losing 42-14 to Alabama in the BCS national championship game.

While Notre Dame is the first independent team to make the playoff, the Irish went undefeated with 10 wins over Power Five teams. That included five ACC teams, four of them that Clemson also beat this season.

''They have been a model of consistency. We'll have a great challenge but one that we're excited about,'' Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said. ''We've been on a journey here the last couple years to put our football team back in this position. So we're certainly excited for the challenge that's in front of us.''

Clemson has never played at the home stadium of the NFL's Dallas Cowboys, which hosted the first national championship game in the CFP era in 2014. The bowl last served as a semifinal three years ago, when Alabama beat Michigan State 38-0.

The Tigers' only Cotton Bowl was on Jan. 1, 1940, a 6-3 win over Boston College.

Notre Dame last played in the Cotton Bowl on New Year's Day 1994, beating Texas A&M when the game was still in its namesake stadium about 20 miles away at the site of the State Fair of Texas. The Fighting Irish are 5-2 in Cotton Bowl games.

The Irish were off Saturday when the Tigers were beating Pittsburgh 42-10 to win their fourth consecutive ACC championship game exactly 10 years after Swinney was hired as their coach.

Clemson didn't make the first playoff in 2014, but has been in every year since. The Tigers made the championship game in 2015 and 2016, losing to Alabama the first time before beating the Crimson Tide two years ago.

SEC champion Alabama (13-0, No. 1 CFP), the only team that has made the playoff every year, plays Oklahoma (12-1, No. 4 CFP) in the other semifinal game Dec. 29 in the Orange Bowl. The Sooners, in their third playoff, won the Big 12 championship over Texas on Saturday at AT&T Stadium.

The semifinal winners play in the national championship game Jan. 7 in Santa Clara, California.

The Fighting Irish have played at AT&T Stadium once, beating Arizona State 37-34 in October 2013.

This will be only the fourth meeting between Clemson and Notre Dame, the first in a bowl game. The Irish won in 1977. The Tigers won in 1979 and again in 2015 when Deshaun Watson threw two TDs and ran for another score.

''To watch those kids battle, it was one of those games you remember because it was college football at its best,'' Kelly said. ''And, again, it will be similar, right? It will come down to a couple of plays, and every great college game somebody has got to make a play. Clemson made a couple more plays in that game.''

For the first time in college football's playoff era, the champion of the Pac-12 will meet the champion of the Big Ten on New Year's Day in Pasadena. That's a welcome return to the traditional matchup for this tradition-soaked bowl game - and both schools have been away from the Rose Bowl long enough to make the trip likely irresistible for fans.

''We ended up right where we hoped to be, facing an awesome team in a big-time game that has so much history with this school and this program,'' Washington coach Chris Petersen said. ''We couldn't be more excited about going down there. It couldn't be more awesome for our fans and where we recruit and those types of things.''

Both schools will be making their 15th appearance in the Rose Bowl. But Washington hasn't been there since the 2000 season, and Ohio State has been just once since 1996, upsetting Oregon on Jan. 1, 2010.

Ohio State finished sixth in the race for four playoff spots despite winning the Big Ten title for the third time in five years. The Buckeyes trounced Northwestern 45-24 on Saturday night, one week after routing archrival Michigan in their annual showdown.

Ohio State coach Urban Meyer largely shrugged off the playoff snub, instead focusing on the chance to finish strong.

''Hard to say I've ever been more proud of a group of players,'' said Meyer, who is going to the Rose Bowl for the first time. ''Not just players, but people, the way they demonstrated their resilience and toughness and love for one another.''

A blowout loss to Purdue in October doomed the Buckeyes, but their second trip to Pasadena in 22 years is a pretty decent finish to an eventful season.

''I know they're always good,'' said Petersen, who spent time in Columbus with Meyer shortly after getting the job at Washington. ''I know the job Urban does and how he coaches. They're always going to be a team that is very elite whether they're in the four-team playoff or right there. That's kind of how he does it.''

The Huskies (10-3) are in the Rose Bowl for the first time in 18 years after overcoming a disappointing start to the season with four straight wins in November, including a snowy Apple Cup win over Washington State and a defense-dominated victory over Utah in the Pac-12 title game last Friday.

Washington still won the Pac-12 for the second time in three years.

The schools will be meeting for the 12th time, but the first since 2007. Jim Tressel's Buckeyes beat Tyrone Willingham's Huskies 33-14.

Things to know about this matchup:

BUCKEYE TALENT

Ohio State will be led into Pasadena by Heisman Trophy hopeful Dwayne Haskins, who led the nation with 47 touchdown passes and finished with 4,580 yards passing in a spectacular season. The sophomore's emergence has been a remarkable development for the Buckeyes, who rode his steady playmaking to another conference crown.

''The Rose Bowl has a great history,'' Haskins said. ''A lot of (great) quarterbacks played in that game. It's a very rich tradition game. I'm looking forward to competing with my teammates.''

HUSKIES HOPES

Washington has its own headlining offensive stars in quarterback Jake Browning and running back Myles Gaskin, the school's career rushing leader. But Petersen's team wasn't fully satisfied with its season, which included an opening loss to Auburn and two defeats in three games during October.

URBAN'S TURN

Meyer is happy to get his first chance to coach in Pasadena after years of watching the famed game on television. ''We came close a few times,'' Meyer said. ''I know (at) Florida one time, I thought we were close to going. Then here in '14, I thought we were going. There was one other time that I thought we were going, and we didn't. And no disrespect to the other bowl games, because they're awesome, but the Rose is the one we've always looked forward to.''

FRIENDLY COACHES

Petersen said he has a ''really good'' relationship with Meyer: ''Known him for a while. Lot of respect for him. When I first came here, I went back (to Columbus) and spent a few days with him, and he was awesome to me. I really appreciate him and the job that he has done and all the hard things coaches go through and all that. Have a lot of respect for him.''

STRENGTH ON STRENGTH

The matchup contrasts the Buckeyes' powerful offense with the Huskies' imposing defense. Ohio State finished in the national top 10 with 43.5 points per game, while Washington had a top-10 defense, allowing just 15.5 points per game.

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) Central Florida's bid for another self-proclaimed national championship goes through the desert.

Snubbed by the College Football Playoff for the second straight season, the seventh-ranked and undefeated Knights will face No. 11 LSU in the New Year's Day Fiesta Bowl.

''It's not a playoff. It's an invitational,'' UCF athletic director Danny White posted on Twitter on Sunday. ''I'm excited to see what invitational we get to be a part of, and once again show what our team is capable of, ON THE FIELD! Proud of our team. Can't wait to go bowling with (hash)KnightNation!!!''

UCF (12-0) finished undefeated last season and proclaimed itself national champion after beating Auburn in the Peach Bowl. The official title went to Alabama after the Crimson Tide beat Clemson in the CFP championship game.

The Knights closed out another undefeated regular season and stretched their unbeaten streak to 25 games with a 56-41 win over Memphis in Saturday's American Athletic Conference title game. The CFP selection committee tabbed Alabama, Clemson, Notre Dame and Oklahoma for this year's playoff, slotting UCF eighth in Sunday's rankings.

''Our football team was disappointed to not have the opportunity to go earn that (the CFP) on the football field, absolutely,'' Knights coach Josh Heupel said. ''They had a feel that was going to happen, but there's great excitement to have an opportunity to go play in that game. It's very special.''

UCF has not lost since the 2016 Cure Bowl against Arkansas State. The Knights first burst onto the national stage in 2014 at the Fiesta Bowl, outlasting Baylor 52-42.

''They have a great program, are undefeated and should be very proud to be undefeated two years in a row,'' Fiesta Bowl executive director Mike Nealy said. ''They're a great team and should be excited about their wins.''

LSU (9-3, No. 11 CFP) appeared to be in the CFP playoff hunt until losing to No. 22 Florida in early October. The Tigers knocked off then-No. 2 Georgia to move back into the CFP picture, but were blown out by top-ranked Alabama and lost a wild seven-overtime game to No. 21 Texas A&M to close out the regular season.

LSU will be playing in the Fiesta Bowl for the first time and is the first SEC team in the Fiesta since Tennessee lost to Nebraska in 2000.

''We're highly motivated. This is where we wanted to go,'' LSU coach Ed Orgeron said. ''When the possibilities of playing a bowl came up, our team wanted to play the Fiesta Bowl. We're not happy the way our season ended and our guys are going to be ready to play.''

MISSING MILTON: UCF appeared to have endured a big blow when quarterback McKenzie Milton suffered a severe leg injury in the regular-season finale against South Florida. Milton was the two-time AAC player of the year and threw for 2,663 yards and 25 touchdowns with six interceptions. The Knights did not suffer a letdown with Darriel Mack Jr. under center in the AAC title game. He ran for four touchdowns, threw for two more and 348 yards while leading UCF back from a 17-point halftime deficit.

ORGERON'S IMPACT: LSU put together a solid third season under Orgeron. The Tigers were CFP contenders until late in the season and are headed to their first major bowl since playing Alabama in the 2011 national championship game. LSU also has a chance to win 10 games for the first time since 2013.

PROLIFIC KNIGHTS: UCF has one of the nation's most prolific offenses. The Knights are third nationally with 545.5 total yards per game, sixth in scoring at 44.2 points and in rushing with an average of 276.5 yards. UCF has scored at least 30 points in 27 straight games. Greg McCrae has rushed for 1,101 yards and nine TDs and Gabriel Davis is the Knights' leading receiver with 50 catches for 576 yards and six TDs.

TIGERS ON THE RUN: One area where LSU can exploit UCF's defense is on the ground. The Knights are among the FBS' worst defenses against the run, giving up 227.4 yards per game. LSU's Nick Brossette has rushed for 922 yards and 14 TDs, while Clyde Edwards-Helaire has gained 626 yards and seven TDs on the ground. QB Joe Burrow, who has thrown for 2,500 yards and 12 TDs, is an adept runner as well, adding seven scores rushing.

The Peach Bowl will match a couple teams very familiar with each other.

Michigan and Florida will square off for the third time in four seasons when they meet Dec. 29 in Atlanta. The Wolverines won the previous two meetings, along with bowl games against the Gators in 2003 and 2008.

For the eighth-ranked Wolverines (10-2, No. 7 CFP), the game is a consolation prize after their College Football Playoff hopes were crushed in a 62-39 loss at Ohio State last week.

A berth in a New Year's Six game is a remarkable accomplishment for Dan Mullen and his 10th-ranked Gators (9-3, No. 10 CFP). Mullen's first Florida team has won five more games than it did a year ago and finished second to Georgia in the Southeastern Conference Eastern Division.

Jim McElwain, who was the Wolverines receivers coach this season, was the Gators head coach for the last two meetings. McElwain was announced as Central Michigan's new coach on Sunday and won't be around to help the Wolverines get ready to face his old team.

''I know guys we've competed against who are there,'' Harbaugh said. ''Looking forward to watching how they've developed, and mainly just looking forward to the preparation of the game.''

In the last Michigan-Florida game, the Wolverines defense allowed just 192 yards and three points in a 33-17 win in the 2017 opener at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The Gators defense scored two touchdowns.

Harbaugh's team also won 41-7 in the Citrus Bowl following the 2015 season.

This game will match two strong defensive teams. Michigan, despite giving up 567 yards to Ohio State, still ranks No. 1 in total defense, holding eight opponents under 300 yards and five to 10 points or fewer.

Florida's Jachai Polite and Jabari Zuniga have combined for 16 1/2 sacks and 27 tackles for loss after combining for six sacks and 13 1/2 TFLs in 2017.

''I'm proud of our team of how they have embraced everything this year and finished strong and now they get the reward of playing in a high-profile bowl game for the opportunity to win 10 games,'' Mullen said.

FRAGILE MENTAL STATE?

Harbaugh said he wasn't concerned about the possibility of his team allowing the devastating loss to Ohio State to lead to an emotional letdown for the bowl.

''Our players have played a great season, the coaches have coached a great season,'' Harbaugh said. ''We've overcome every adversity. Nothing changes. Just means the work isn't done.''

GOING FOR TEN

A win would give Florida a 10th win in a season for the 15th time and first since 2015. Mullen would become the 11th coach in SEC history to win 10 games in his first season, and he would join Auburn's Gus Malzahn (2013) as the only other coach to do it after inheriting a team that won fewer than five games the year prior to his arrival.

SEASON HIGHLIGHTS

The Gators' best win was 27-19 over then-No. 5 LSU in Gainesville on Oct. 6, a week after they went on the road and beat then-No. 23 Mississippi State.

Michigan bounced back from a 24-17 season-opening loss at Notre Dame to win 10 straight, beating three straight ranked opponents in Wisconsin, Michigan State and Penn State.

GARY A NO-GO

Michigan defensive lineman Rashan Gary, who announced last week he would declare for the NFL draft, will not play in the bowl, Harbaugh said.

Gary was the nation's No. 1 recruit in 2016, and he is projected to be an early draft pick. A shoulder problem limited him to nine games this season.

MCDANIELS TO COACH RECEIVERS

Offensive analyst Ben McDaniels will coach the receivers in place of McElwain. McDaniels was offensive coordinator at Rutgers in 2015 and was an analyst for the Chicago Bears for two years before joining the Wolverines staff.

TULANE (6 - 6) vs. LA LAFAYETTE (7 - 6) - 12/15/2018, 1:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TULANE is 39-59 ATS (-25.9 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
LA LAFAYETTE is 1-0 against the spread versus TULANE over the last 3 seasons
TULANE is 1-0 straight up against LA LAFAYETTE over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

ARIZONA ST (7 - 5) vs. FRESNO ST (11 - 2) - 12/15/2018, 3:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
FRESNO ST is 20-6 ATS (+13.4 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
FRESNO ST is 20-6 ATS (+13.4 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
FRESNO ST is 19-5 ATS (+13.5 Units) when playing on a Saturday over the last 2 seasons.
FRESNO ST is 17-6 ATS (+10.4 Units) after playing a conference game over the last 3 seasons.
FRESNO ST is 17-6 ATS (+10.4 Units) in games played on turf over the last 2 seasons.
FRESNO ST is 11-2 ATS (+8.8 Units) after 2 or more consecutive straight up wins over the last 2 seasons.
FRESNO ST is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
ARIZONA ST is 20-9 ATS (+10.1 Units) when playing on a Saturday over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

E MICHIGAN (7 - 5) vs. GA SOUTHERN (9 - 3) - 12/15/2018, 5:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
GA SOUTHERN is 8-2 ATS (+5.8 Units) when playing on a Saturday this season.
E MICHIGAN is 25-12 ATS (+11.8 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
E MICHIGAN is 25-12 ATS (+11.8 Units) in all lined games over the last 3 seasons.
E MICHIGAN is 17-5 ATS (+11.5 Units) as an underdog over the last 3 seasons.
E MICHIGAN is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in road games when playing on a Saturday over the last 2 seasons.
E MICHIGAN is 16-6 ATS (+9.4 Units) after playing a conference game over the last 3 seasons.
E MICHIGAN is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) in road games in games played on turf over the last 3 seasons.
E MICHIGAN is 11-2 ATS (+8.8 Units) in non-conference games over the last 3 seasons.
E MICHIGAN is 13-3 ATS (+9.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

OHIO U (8 - 4) vs. SAN DIEGO ST (7 - 5) - 12/19/2018, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN DIEGO ST is 25-12 ATS (+11.8 Units) in road games off a loss against a conference rival since 1992.
SAN DIEGO ST is 1-7 ATS (-6.7 Units) in games played on a grass field this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

MARSHALL (8 - 4) at S FLORIDA (7 - 5) - 12/20/2018, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MARSHALL is 6-15 ATS (-10.5 Units) as a favorite over the last 3 seasons.
MARSHALL is 19-35 ATS (-19.5 Units) as a road favorite since 1992.
MARSHALL is 47-72 ATS (-32.2 Units) in road games since 1992.
MARSHALL is 47-72 ATS (-32.2 Units) in road lined games since 1992.
MARSHALL is 11-2 ATS (+8.8 Units) in a bowl game since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

HOUSTON (8 - 4) vs. ARMY (9 - 2) - 12/22/2018, 3:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ARMY is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) in road games when playing on a Saturday over the last 2 seasons.
ARMY is 19-36 ATS (-20.6 Units) when playing with 2 weeks or more of rest since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

BUFFALO (10 - 3) vs. TROY (9 - 3) - 12/22/2018, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TROY is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) in road games when playing on a Saturday over the last 2 seasons.
TROY is 39-23 ATS (+13.7 Units) in road games in games played on turf since 1992.
TROY is 8-0 ATS (+8.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
BUFFALO is 17-8 ATS (+8.2 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
BUFFALO is 17-8 ATS (+8.2 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

LOUISIANA TECH (7 - 5) at HAWAII (8 - 5) - 12/22/2018, 10:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LOUISIANA TECH is 22-9 ATS (+12.1 Units) in road games off a loss against a conference rival since 1992.
HAWAII is 7-16 ATS (-10.6 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
HAWAII is 7-16 ATS (-10.6 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
HAWAII is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) as a favorite over the last 3 seasons.
HAWAII is 7-16 ATS (-10.6 Units) when playing on a Saturday over the last 2 seasons.
HAWAII is 6-16 ATS (-11.6 Units) after playing a conference game over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

BOSTON COLLEGE (7 - 5) vs. BOISE ST (10 - 3) - 12/26/2018, 1:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
BOISE ST is 147-107 ATS (+29.3 Units) in all games since 1992.
BOISE ST is 147-107 ATS (+29.3 Units) in all lined games since 1992.
BOISE ST is 92-63 ATS (+22.7 Units) after playing a conference game since 1992.
BOISE ST is 37-21 ATS (+13.9 Units) in games played on a grass field since 1992.
BOSTON COLLEGE is 82-58 ATS (+18.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

TCU (6 - 6) vs. CALIFORNIA (7 - 5) - 12/26/2018, 9:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TCU is 12-26 ATS (-16.6 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
TCU is 12-25 ATS (-15.5 Units) in all lined games over the last 3 seasons.
TCU is 0-6 ATS (-6.6 Units) after a bye week over the last 3 seasons.
TCU is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.
CALIFORNIA is 21-44 ATS (-27.4 Units) when the line is +3 to -3 since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

DUKE (7 - 5) vs. TEMPLE (8 - 4) - 12/27/2018, 1:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TEMPLE is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) as a favorite of 3.5 to 10 points over the last 3 seasons.
TEMPLE is 27-12 ATS (+13.8 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
TEMPLE is 27-12 ATS (+13.8 Units) in all lined games over the last 3 seasons.
TEMPLE is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) in road games after playing a conference game over the last 2 seasons.
TEMPLE is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in games played on turf over the last 2 seasons.
DUKE is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
DUKE is 23-8 ATS (+14.2 Units) in games played on turf since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

MIAMI (7 - 5) vs. WISCONSIN (7 - 5) - 12/27/2018, 5:15 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MIAMI is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
WISCONSIN is 1-0 against the spread versus MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
WISCONSIN is 1-0 straight up against MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

IOWA ST (8 - 4) vs. WASHINGTON ST (10 - 2) - 12/28/2018, 9:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON ST is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) in all games this season.
WASHINGTON ST is 10-2 ATS (+7.8 Units) in all lined games this season.
IOWA ST is 17-8 ATS (+8.2 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
IOWA ST is 17-8 ATS (+8.2 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
IOWA ST is 17-7 ATS (+9.3 Units) as an underdog over the last 3 seasons.
IOWA ST is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

FLORIDA (9 - 3) vs. MICHIGAN (10 - 2) - 12/29/2018, 12:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
FLORIDA is 34-18 ATS (+14.2 Units) in road games when playing with 2 weeks or more of rest since 1992.
FLORIDA is 29-15 ATS (+12.5 Units) in road games after a bye week since 1992.
MICHIGAN is 30-49 ATS (-23.9 Units) as a favorite of 3.5 to 10 points since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
MICHIGAN is 1-0 against the spread versus FLORIDA over the last 3 seasons
MICHIGAN is 1-0 straight up against FLORIDA over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

S CAROLINA (7 - 5) vs. VIRGINIA (7 - 5) - 12/29/2018, 12:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
VIRGINIA is 8-2 ATS (+5.8 Units) when playing on a Saturday this season.
S CAROLINA is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) in road games when playing on a Saturday over the last 2 seasons.
S CAROLINA is 8-0 ATS (+8.0 Units) in road games in games played on a grass field over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

OKLAHOMA (12 - 1) vs. ALABAMA (13 - 0) - 12/29/2018, 4:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
ALABAMA is 81-56 ATS (+19.4 Units) in road games when playing on a Saturday since 1992.
ALABAMA is 45-27 ATS (+15.3 Units) in road games off a win against a conference rival since 1992.
ALABAMA is 58-34 ATS (+20.6 Units) in road games after 2 or more consecutive straight up wins since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

NOTRE DAME (12 - 0) vs. CLEMSON (13 - 0) - 12/29/2018, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
CLEMSON is 9-1 ATS (+7.9 Units) in road games when playing on a Saturday over the last 2 seasons.
CLEMSON is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) in road games after 2 or more consecutive straight up wins over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

MICHIGAN ST (7 - 5) vs. OREGON (8 - 4) - 12/31/2018, 3:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
OREGON is 46-24 ATS (+19.6 Units) when the line is +3 to -3 since 1992.
OREGON is 28-14 ATS (+12.6 Units) when playing with 2 weeks or more of rest since 1992.
OREGON is 57-36 ATS (+17.4 Units) in games played on a grass field since 1992.
OREGON is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) in road games after playing a conference game over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

NORTHWESTERN (8 - 5) vs. UTAH (9 - 4) - 12/31/2018, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
UTAH is 32-15 ATS (+15.5 Units) when playing with 2 weeks or more of rest since 1992.
UTAH is 35-18 ATS (+15.2 Units) after a bye week since 1992.
UTAH is 122-89 ATS (+24.1 Units) in games played on a grass field since 1992.
UTAH is 63-37 ATS (+22.3 Units) in non-conference games since 1992.
UTAH is 46-22 ATS (+21.8 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record since 1992.
NORTHWESTERN is 49-30 ATS (+16.0 Units) as an underdog of 3.5 to 10 points since 1992.
NORTHWESTERN is 36-20 ATS (+14.0 Units) in road games off a loss against a conference rival since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

NC STATE (9 - 3) vs. TEXAS A&M (8 - 4) - 12/31/2018, 7:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
NC STATE is 26-13 ATS (+11.7 Units) in road games when playing with 2 weeks or more of rest since 1992.
NC STATE is 33-18 ATS (+13.2 Units) after a bye week since 1992.
TEXAS A&M is 21-38 ATS (-20.8 Units) after a bye week since 1992.
TEXAS A&M is 69-96 ATS (-36.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

KENTUCKY (9 - 3) vs. PENN ST (9 - 3) - 1/1/2019, 1:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
KENTUCKY is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) in non-conference games over the last 3 seasons.
PENN ST is 25-13 ATS (+10.7 Units) in all games over the last 3 seasons.
PENN ST is 25-13 ATS (+10.7 Units) in all lined games over the last 3 seasons.
PENN ST is 19-8 ATS (+10.2 Units) after playing a conference game over the last 3 seasons.
PENN ST is 18-3 ATS (+14.7 Units) off a win against a conference rival over the last 3 seasons.
PENN ST is 11-2 ATS (+8.8 Units) after 2 or more consecutive straight up wins over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

LSU (9 - 3) vs. UCF (12 - 0) - 1/1/2019, 1:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
UCF is 17-6 ATS (+10.4 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
UCF is 17-6 ATS (+10.4 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
UCF is 9-2 ATS (+6.8 Units) in games played on a grass field this season.
UCF is 8-2 ATS (+5.8 Units) after 2 or more consecutive straight up wins this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

WASHINGTON (10 - 3) vs. OHIO ST (12 - 1) - 1/1/2019, 5:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
OHIO ST is 190-146 ATS (+29.4 Units) in all games since 1992.
OHIO ST is 190-146 ATS (+29.4 Units) in all lined games since 1992.
OHIO ST is 15-4 ATS (+10.6 Units) against Pac Twelve conference opponents since 1992.
OHIO ST is 120-87 ATS (+24.3 Units) in games played on a grass field since 1992.
OHIO ST is 96-70 ATS (+19.0 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

TEXAS (9 - 4) vs. GEORGIA (11 - 2) - 1/1/2019, 8:45 PM
Top Trends for this game.
GEORGIA is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) as a favorite of 10.5 to 21 points over the last 2 seasons.
GEORGIA is 19-8 ATS (+10.2 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
GEORGIA is 19-8 ATS (+10.2 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
GEORGIA is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) in games played on a neutral field over the last 2 seasons.
GEORGIA is 6-0 ATS (+6.0 Units) in games played on turf over the last 2 seasons.
GEORGIA is 33-12 ATS (+19.8 Units) in road games in non-conference games since 1992.
GEORGIA is 13-3 ATS (+9.7 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

Tulane Green Wave
Tulane is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games
Tulane is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Tulane's last 6 games
Tulane is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Louisiana-Lafayette
Tulane is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Louisiana-LafayetteLouisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns
Louisiana-Lafayette is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 games
Louisiana-Lafayette is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Louisiana-Lafayette's last 5 games
Louisiana-Lafayette is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Tulane
Louisiana-Lafayette is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing Tulane

North Texas Mean Green
North Texas is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games
North Texas is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of North Texas's last 10 games
North Texas is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
North Texas is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of North Texas's last 5 games on the roadUtah State Aggies
Utah State is 7-15 ATS in its last 22 games on the road
Utah State is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Utah State is 7-15 SU in its last 22 games on the road
Utah State is 9-3 ATS in its last 12 games
Utah State is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Utah State's last 12 games

Fresno State Bulldogs
Fresno State is 14-4 ATS in its last 18 games
Fresno State is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Fresno State's last 5 gamesArizona State Sun Devils
Arizona State is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games

Georgia Southern Eagles
Georgia Southern is 9-3 ATS in its last 12 games
Georgia Southern is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Georgia Southern's last 6 gamesEastern Michigan Eagles
Eastern Michigan is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Eastern Michigan's last 9 games

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
Middle Tennessee is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Middle Tennessee is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Middle Tennessee's last 6 games
Middle Tennessee is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Middle Tennessee's last 5 games on the roadAppalachian State Mountaineers
Appalachian State is 11-3-2 ATS in its last 16 games
Appalachian State is 2-3-2 ATS in its last 7 games
Appalachian State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Appalachian State's last 5 games
Appalachian State is 1-2-2 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Appalachian State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home

Tuesday, December 18

NIU Huskies
Northern Illinois is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Northern Illinois is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Northern Illinois's last 13 gamesUAB Blazers
Alabama-Birmingham is 8-3 ATS in its last 11 games
Alabama-Birmingham is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Alabama-Birmingham's last 5 games

Wednesday, December 19

San Diego State Aztecs
San Diego State is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games
San Diego State is 17-8 SU in its last 25 games
San Diego State is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of San Diego State's last 9 gamesOhio Bobcats
Ohio is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
Ohio is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Ohio's last 5 games

Thursday, December 20

Marshall Thundering Herd
Marshall is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Marshall is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Marshall's last 5 games
Marshall is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Marshall is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Marshall's last 7 games on the roadUSF Bulls
South Florida is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games
South Florida is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games
South Florida is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
South Florida is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games at home
South Florida is 14-3 SU in its last 17 games at home

Friday, December 21

FIU Golden Panthers
Florida International is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Florida International is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Florida International's last 5 gamesToledo Rockets
Toledo is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Toledo is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games

Western Michigan Broncos
Western Michigan is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games
Western Michigan is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Western Michigan's last 6 gamesBYU Cougars
Brigham Young is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Brigham Young's last 5 games

Saturday, December 22

Memphis Tigers
Memphis is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Memphis is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Memphis's last 6 gamesWake Forest Demon Deacons
Wake Forest is 4-10 ATS in its last 14 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Wake Forest's last 6 games

Houston Cougars
Houston is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Houston's last 6 games
Houston is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Army
Houston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing ArmyArmy Black Knights
Army is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Army is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Army is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Houston
Army is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Houston

Buffalo Bulls
Buffalo is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games
Buffalo is 13-3 SU in its last 16 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Buffalo's last 5 gamesTroy Trojans
Troy is 11-3-2 ATS in its last 16 games
Troy is 16-3 SU in its last 19 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Troy's last 6 games

LA Tech Bulldogs
Louisiana Tech is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Louisiana Tech is 10-5 SU in its last 15 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Louisiana Tech's last 5 games
Louisiana Tech is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Louisiana Tech is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Louisiana Tech's last 5 games on the road
Louisiana Tech is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games when playing Hawaii
Louisiana Tech is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing Hawaii
Louisiana Tech is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Hawaii
Louisiana Tech is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against HawaiiHawaii Warriors
Hawaii is 1-4-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Hawaii is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Hawaii is 2-10-1 ATS in its last 13 games at home
Hawaii is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Hawaii's last 5 games at home
Hawaii is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games when playing Louisiana Tech
Hawaii is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Louisiana Tech
Hawaii is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Louisiana Tech
Hawaii is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Louisiana Tech

Wednesday, December 26

Boston College Eagles
Boston College is 15-6-1 ATS in its last 22 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston College's last 5 gamesBoise State Broncos
Boise State is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Boise State's last 5 game

Minnesota Golden Gophers
Minnesota is 3-6 SU in its last 9 gamesGeorgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Georgia Tech is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Georgia Tech's last 5 games

TCU Horned Frogs
Texas Christian is 2-7 ATS in its last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Texas Christian's last 6 gamesCalifornia Golden Bears
California is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
California is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of California's last 8 games

Thursday, December 27

Temple Owls
Temple is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 games
Temple is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Temple's last 6 gamesDuke Blue Devils
Duke is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Duke is 10-5 SU in its last 15 games
Duke is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Duke's last 23 game

Miami-FL Hurricanes
Miami-FL is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games
Miami-FL is 17-8 SU in its last 25 games
Miami-FL is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Miami-FL's last 5 gamesWisconsin Badgers
Wisconsin is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Wisconsin is 19-6 SU in its last 25 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Wisconsin's last 5 games

Baylor Bears
Baylor is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Baylor is 7-17 SU in its last 24 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Baylor's last 6 gamesVanderbilt Commodores
Vanderbilt is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Vanderbilt's last 5 games

Friday, December 28

Auburn Tigers
Auburn is 16-8 SU in its last 24 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Auburn's last 10 gamesPurdue Boilermakers
Purdue is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games
Purdue is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games

Syracuse Orange
Syracuse is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Syracuse is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Syracuse's last 7 games
Syracuse is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing West Virginia
Syracuse is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games when playing West Virginia
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Syracuse's last 5 games when playing West VirginiaWest Virginia Mountaineers
West Virginia is 2-3-2 ATS in its last 7 games
West Virginia is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of West Virginia's last 5 games
West Virginia is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Syracuse
West Virginia is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games when playing Syracuse
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of West Virginia's last 5 games when playing Syracuse

Iowa State Cyclones
Iowa State is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Iowa State is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Iowa State's last 20 gamesWashington State Cougars
Washington State is 10-2 ATS in its last 12 games
Washington State is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Washington State's last 15 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington State's last 6 games

Saturday, December 29

Florida Gators
Florida is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games
Florida is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Florida's last 7 gamesMichigan Wolverines
Michigan is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games

South Carolina Gamecocks
South Carolina is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
South Carolina is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of South Carolina's last 5 gamesVirginia Cavaliers
Virginia is 8-4 ATS in its last 12 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Virginia's last 5 games

Arkansas State Red Wolves
Arkansas State is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Arkansas State is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Arkansas State's last 5 gamesNevada Wolf Pack
Nevada is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Nevada is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Nevada's last 8 games

Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Notre Dame is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Notre Dame is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Notre Dame's last 9 gamesClemson Tigers
Clemson is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games
Clemson is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games

Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Oklahoma is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Oklahoma's last 5 gamesAlabama Crimson Tide
Alabama is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
Alabama is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Alabama's last 14 game

Monday, December 31

Virginia Tech Hokies
Virginia Tech is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games
Virginia Tech is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Virginia Tech's last 6 games
Cincinnati Bearcats
Cincinnati is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Cincinnati is 11-2 SU in its last 13 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cincinnati's last 6 games

Pittsburgh Panthers
Pittsburgh is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games
Pittsburgh is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Pittsburgh's last 5 gamesStanford Cardinal
Stanford is 4-1-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Stanford is 16-7 SU in its last 23 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Stanford's last 5 game

Michigan State Spartans
Michigan State is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Michigan State is 15-7 SU in its last 22 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Michigan State's last 5 gamesOregon Ducks
Oregon is 4-9 ATS in its last 13 games
Oregon is 8-4 SU in its last 12 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Oregon's last 7 game

Missouri Tigers
Missouri is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Missouri is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Missouri's last 5 games
Missouri is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Oklahoma State
Missouri is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Oklahoma StateOklahoma State Cowboys
Oklahoma State is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Oklahoma State's last 5 games
Oklahoma State is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Missouri
Oklahoma State is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Missouri

Northwestern Wildcats
Northwestern is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Northwestern's last 7 gamesUtah Utes
Utah is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games
Utah is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games

NC State Wolfpack
North Carolina State is 4-1 SU in its last 5 gamesTexas A&M Aggies
Texas A&M is 9-4 ATS in its last 13 games
Texas A&M is 6-2 SU in its last 8 game

Tuesday, January 1

Iowa Hawkeyes
Iowa is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Iowa is 10-4 SU in its last 14 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Iowa's last 5 gamesMississippi State Bulldogs
Mississippi State is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Mississippi State is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Mississippi State's last 9 games

LSU Tigers
Louisiana State is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Louisiana State's last 9 gamesUCF Knights
Central Florida is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Central Florida is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Central Florida's last 9 games

Kentucky Wildcats
Kentucky is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games
Kentucky is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Kentucky's last 9 gamesPenn State Nittany Lions
Penn State is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Penn State's last 5 games

Washington Huskies
Washington is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games
Washington is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Washington's last 13 gamesOhio State Buckeyes
Ohio State is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games
Ohio State is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Ohio State's last 6 games

Texas Longhorns
Texas is 2-4-1 ATS in its last 7 games
Texas is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games
The total has gone UNDER in 17 of Texas's last 25 gamesGeorgia Bulldogs
Georgia is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Georgia is 11-2 SU in its last 13 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Georgia's last 7 games

December 15
New Mexico Bowl
Underdogs covered five of last six New Mexico Bowls. Utah State won this bowl four years ago, but lost 23-21/26-20 in last two bowls. Aggies are 10-2, losing first/last game; they were held 100 YR in both losses. State is 9-3 vs spread in last dozen games as a favorite. North Texas is in its 3rd straight bowl; they lost 38-31/50-30 in bowls last two years. Favorites covered their last five bowl games. UNT is 9-3 this year; their last three games were all decided by exactly 3 points. Under Littrell, Mean Green is 10-9 as an underdog, 1-1 this year. Mountain West teams are 3-4 in this bowl last seven years. Under is 10-1 in UNT games this season; over is 8-3-1 in Utah State games. Last seven years, MW teams are 13-11 vs spread when playing a C-USA opponent.

Cure Bowl, Orlando
Tulane is in its first bowl since 2013; they had to beat a poor Navy team 29-28 in finale just to get to 6-6 and be bowl-eligible. Green Wave beat ULL 41-39 (-5) in OT in last meeting two years ago. Tulane won four of its last five games overall; they’re 1-4 vs spread as a favorite this year, after being 7-4 last two years. UL-Lafayette is in 6th bowl in last nine years, but first one that wasn’t in New Orleans; Ragin’ Cajuns are 7-0 when they score 31+ points, 0-5 when they don’t. Tulane allowed 31+ in only one of its last six games. Dogs won two of three Cure Bowls, with Sun Belt team winning last two. Last five years, Sun Belt teams are 9-7 vs spread when playing an AAC team. Five of last six Tulane games, four of last five ULL games stayed under total.

Las Vegas Bowl
Fresno State won Mountain West title game in Boise Dec 1st; only 14 days between games for them. Underdogs won last two Las Vegas bowls; favorites are 4-3 vs spread in last seven. Pac-12 teams are 4-2 vs spread in last six visits here. Herm Edwards is coaching his first bowl game; ASU’s star WR Harry is skipping this game so he doesn’t get hurt- he is headed to NFL. ASU won four of its last five games; they’re 4-1 in games decided by 4 or fewer points. Sun Devils are 2-3 in last five bowls, losing 43-42/52-31 in last two. Bulldogs snapped 4-game bowl losing streak when they won Hawai’i Bowl 33-27 LY. Since 2012, Mountain West teams are 4-6 vs spread when favored over a Pac-12 team. Eight of last nine Fresno games stayed under the total.

Camellia Bowl, Montgomery, AL
Eastern Michigan is in just its third bowl game ever, 2nd since 1985; they lost Bahamas Bowl 24-20 to Old Dominion two years ago. Eagles won five of their last six games after a 2-4 start; they’re 2-4 this year in games decided by less than 7 points. EMU is 4-6 vs spread in its last 10 games as a favorite. Georgia Southern has one of most experienced OL’s in country; they’re in only their 5th year of I-A football. GSU is Eagles pounded Bowling Green 58-27 in its only bowl game, three years ago. MAC teams are 14-11 vs spread in their last 25 games vs Sun Belt opponents. Sun Belt teams split four Camellia Bowls; average total in four games was 61.3. Seven of last nine EMU games stayed under total; five of last six Ga Southern games went over.

New Orleans Bowl
Favorites won/covered last three New Orleans Bowls; Sun Belt team won this game five of last seven years. Appalachian State is 10-2 with an OT loss at Penn State that they led in the last minute of regulation. ASU is 3-0 in bowl games, scoring 31+ points in all three- this is only their 5th year as a I-A team. Middle Tennessee State won five of last seven games, splitting pair with UAB; they’re 4-3 vs spread as an underdog this year. Sun Belt teams covered eight of their last ten games with C-USA opponents. Six of last eight ASU games stayed under the total; three of Blue Raiders’ last four games went over. ASU’s coach has already jumped ship for the Louisville job; MTSU’s senior QB is the head coach’s son, so this will be an emotional game for them.

Dec 18
Boca Raton Bowl, Boca Raton, FL
UAB didn’t field a football team in 2015-16; they went 8-5 LY, lost their bowl game 41-6, then went 10-3 this year, winning C-USA title Dec 1. All three Blazer losses are by 21+ points. Northern Illinois is 8-5 after winning MAC title 30-29 over Buffalo Nov 30; Huskies lost their last five bowls, last three by 22+ points each. NIU is 7-0 when it scores 24+ points, 1-5 when they don’t; in their last four games (2-2) they were -7 in turnovers. Huskies have a top 10 OL in experience. Favorites covered three of first four Boca Raton Bowls, with average total of 64.8; C-USA teams are 3-0 in this game. Last two years, C-USA teams are 7-5 vs spread when playing MAC teams. Under is 9-4 in NIU games this season; four of last five UAB games went over.

Dec 19
Frisco Bowl, Frisco, TX
San Diego State lost its last three games after a 7-2 start, which is how they wound up here- they lost SU as 18 and 24-point home favorites in November. Aztecs covered five of their last six tries as an underdog. Ohio U won five of its last six games, scoring 52-49 points in last two; Bobcats are 11-6 vs spread in their last 17 games as a favorite. Last eight years, Mountain West teams are 16-13 vs spread when playing a MAC team, 6-6 when an underdog. San Diego St is 3-2 in its last five bowls; they scored 34+ points in last three. Ohio won its bowl 41-6 LY, snapping a 3-bowl losing skid. Under is 6-3 in Aztecs’ last nine games, 1-4 in Ohio’s last five. Favorites covered three of four Frisco Bowls, with an average total of 77.3.

Dec 20
Gasparilla Bowl, Tampa
Home game for South Florida, which lost its last five games (all by 10+ points) after a 7-0 start; Bulls threw for a combined 195 yards in last two games- they allowed 220+ RY in six of their last seven games. Under Strong, USF is 5-11 vs spread as a favorite, 1-5 this year. Bulls won four of last five bowls, with average total of 79 in last three. Marshall won five of its last seven games; they’re 7-2 vs spread in last nine games as an underdog. Thundering Herd won its last six bowl games. Marshall has a big edge in experience on OL. Favorites covered this bowl four of last six years, with average total of 30.0 last three years. AAC teams are 14-13 vs spread when facing a C-USA squad, 1-4 this year. Three of last four USF games stayed under total; over is 4-1 in last five Marshall games.

Dec 21
Bahamas Bowl
C-USA/MAC teams split the four Bahamas Bowls, with an average total of 66; FIU is 1-2 in bowl games, losing 28-3 to Temple LY- coach Davis is 5-3 in bowls. Panthers split their last four games after a 6-2 start; under Davis, they’re 6-3 vs spread as underdogs, 3-0 this year. FIU was outgained by 238+ yards in three of their last four losses. Toledo lost its last two bowls, getting blanked 34-0 by Appalachian St LY as a 7-point favorite. Rockets won four of their last five games after a 3-4 start, scoring 56-51 points in last two games; Toledo allowed 412+ TY in 10 of their last 11 games- they’re 2-5 vs spread in their last seven games as a single-digit favorite. Last five FIU games went over the total; over is 7-4 in Toledo games.

Idaho Potato Bowl, Boise
BYU won at Arizona/Wisconsin in September, but lost three of last five games, and stumbles in here with 6-6 record. Cougars didn’t go to a bowl LY, and lost three of their last four bowls before that- they did hold last six opponents to 327 or fewer TY. Western Michigan has 1-7 record in bowl games, with only win over MTSU in the Bahamas three years ago. Broncos lost three of their last four games after a 6-2 start; they allowed 42+ points in all five of their losses, are 7-0 when they give up less than 40 points. WMU lost two games that they scored 42+ points in this season. BYU is 9-4 vs spread in last 13 games as a double digit favorite; . Western Michigan Four of last five BYU games stayed under total; last four WMU games went over.

Dec 22
Birmingham Bowl
Wake Forest is in its 3rd straight bowl, winning 34-26/55-52 in previous two; Memphis is in its 5th straight bowl, losing last three while allowing 34.3 ppg. Wake scored 50+ points in four of its six wins- they’re 1-4 scoring less than 27 points. Deacons are 11-4-1 vs spread in last 16 games as an underdog, 1-2 this year. Memphis won four of its last five games after a 4-4 start; they ran ball for 400+ yards in last two games, 200+ yards in last eight games. Wake held five of last six opponents under 200 rushing yards. Tigers are 11-5 in last 16 games as a favorite, 6-1 this year. Last four years, AAC teams are 17-11 vs spread when playing an ACC opponent. Three of last four Wake games stayed under total; five of last six Memphis games went over.

Armed Forces Bowl, Fort Worth
Army won its last eight games after losing in OT at Oklahoma Sept 28; they outgained Sooners 379-355, running ball for 339 yards. Cadets did get held under 300 TY in three of last four games; they’re 1-4 vs spread in last five games as a favorite. Houston lost three of last four games after a 7-1 start; they gave up 45 points in all four losses this year. Star DE Oliver left team to prep for NFL Draft, which leaves a void. Navy ran for 344 yards vs Cougars, which is a red flag. Houston is in its 6th straight bowl; they lost 34-10/33-27 in last two; they won this bowl in 2014. Army is in 3rd straight bowl, winning 38-31ot/42-35 in last two- they won this bowl LY. Three of last four Army games stayed under total; five of last six Houston games went over.

Dollar General Bowl, Mobile, AL
Sun Belt team beat the MAC team in this bowl four of last five years (underdogs 3-2 vs spread) with average total of 64. Troy won this game two years ago. Buffalo is in its third bowl, its first since 2013; Bulls lost 38-20/49-24 in first two bowls. Bulls’ coach Leipold won six national titles in D-III, this is his first D-I bowl. Troy is in its 3rd straight bowl, winning last two 28-23/50-30- their last two bowl losses were both in OT. Troy is 9-3, but scored 12-10 points in last two games; under Brown, Trojans are 9-3-1 as underdogs, 1-1-1 this year. Buffalo is 10-3, losing MAC title game 30-29; Bulls are 5-3 vs spread this year in games with single digit spread- they’re 1-3 this season when scoring less than 30 points. Four of last five Buffalo games went over total; three of last four Troy games stayed under.

Hawai’i Bowl
Louisiana Tech is in its fifth straight bowl, winning the last four while scoring 45.3 ppg; Hawai’i is in its second bowl since 2010; Rainbows (+7) beat MTSU 52-35 in this game two years ago. Underdogs are 4-3 vs spread in this bowl last seven years, winning last two SU. Average total in this bowl last three years is 65.3. Louisiana Tech lost three of its last four games after a 6-2 start; Tech is 4-3 SU on road this year, with two losses to SEC teams; they’re 14-4 in lat 18 games as road underdogs, 4-1 this year. Hawai’i is 4-2 at home vs I-A teams this year; Rainbows are 7-0 when they score 30+ points, 1-5 when they don’t. These teams last played in 2011; Hawai’i won last two meetings. Since ’12, Mountain West teams are 13-11 vs spread when playing C-USA teams. Tech’s last five games stayed under the total.

Dec 26
First Responder Bowl, Dallas
Favorites covered this bowl four of last five years, with average total of 59.8. Boise State won seven of last eight games overall, losing MW title game on its home field to Fresno. Broncos are 3-2 vs spread this season in games with a single-digit spread; they’re 15-8 vs spread in last 23 games as a favorite away from home. Boston College lost its last three games after a 7-2 start; Eagles are 11-2-1 vs spread in their last 14 games as an underdog away from home. Boise won seven of its last nine bowl games, covering three of last four as bowl favorites. BC lost six of its last seven bowls; they’re 6-4 vs spread in last ten games as bowl underdogs. Last five years, ACC teams are 6-2 vs spread when playing Mountain West teams. Last five Boise games, four of last five BC games stayed under the total.

Quick Lane Bowl, Detroit
Georgia Tech coach Johnson is stepping down after game; none of his assistants were retained by new coach. Underdogs won this bowl four of last six years, with average total of 53.8 in last five. Minnesota had to win at Wisconsin to get to 6-6 and be bowl eligible; they won this game three years ago. Gophers are 5-0 when they allow 15 or fewer points. 1-6 if they allow more- they’re 2-5 in games with single digit spread, and allowed 300+ rushing yards in three of its last nine games. Georgia Tech won four of last five games, after a 3-4 start; Jackets are 4-4 in games with single digit spread. Gophers won last two bowls, 21-14/17-12; they didn’t bowl LY. Tech won three of its last four bowls. Since 2014, Big 14 teams are 18-14-1 vs spread when playing an ACC opponent. Game is indoors, so no weather worries. Over is 7-2 in last nine Tech games, 0-3 in Minnesota’s last three games.

Cheez-It Bowl, Phoenix
Underdogs covered this bowl four of last six years, with average total of 55 in last five. This is only 2nd bowl in last seven years for Cal; they beat Air Force 55-36 in bowl three years ago. California was held to 15 or fewer points, under 300 TY in four of last five games; they’re 5-4 this year in games with single-digit spread. Golden Bears were +11 in turnovers in their seven wins, -13 in their five losses. TCU won three of last four games after a 3-5 start; they scored 17 or fewer points in six of 12 games- they’re 2-3 this year in games with single digit spread. Horned Frogs are 9-3 in bowls the last 13 years, with average total of 72.7 in last three. Seven of last eight Cal games stayed under total; four of last six TCU games went over. Since 2011, Big X teams are 16-11-1 vs spread when playing Pac-12 opponents.

December 27
Independence Bowl, Shreveport
Temple’s coach is off to Georgia Tech, isn’t coaching here. Owls won six of last seven games after a 2-3 start that included a loss to a I-AA team. Temple allowed 36-45-52 points in their three I-A losses; they’re 7-0 vs I-A teams when allowing less than 36 points. Duke allowed 200+ YR in last five games; they lost four of last six games after a 5-1 start- they lost last two games after a 5-1 start. Blue Devils went from 1960-2015 without winning a bowl; they’ve won last two bowls, 44-41/36-14; this is their 5th bowl in last six years. ACC teams won this bowl last three years; favorites are 4-3 vs spread in last seven, with average total of 65.2 in last five. Last four years, AAC teams are 17-11 vs spread when playing an ACC team. Four of last six Temple games stayed under total; under is 5-3 in last eight Duke games.

Pinstripe Bowl, Bronx
Wisconsin (+5) beat Miami 34-24 in LY’s Orange Bowl; it’ll be a little cooler at this game. Miami lost seven of last eight bowls; four of their last five bowls stayed under total. Miami QB Perry has off-field issues, may be held out of this game; former starter Rozier (threw 144 passes this year) would step in his place. Wisconsin Hornibrook (concussion) is out here. Hurricanes are 6-0 when they score 24+ points, 0-5 when they don’t. Wisconsin is 2-3 in its last five games; they’re 0-4 when they score 21 or fewer points, 7-0 when they score. Underdogs covered this bowl six of last seven years; Big 14 team won three of last four, with an average total of 58.6 in last five. Last five years, Big 14 teams are 18-13-1 vs spread when playing an ACC opponent. Last six Miami games, four of Badgers’ last five games stayed under the total;

Texas Bowl, Houston
Baylor was 1-11 LY, improved to 6-6 this year- this is their 8th bowl in last nine years. Bears are 3-0 vs spread in last three tries as bowl underdogs. Vanderbilt is in bowl for only second time in last five years; they split last four bowls, covering both chances as bowl favorites. Bears lost four of their last six games, are 3-2 vs spread this year in games with single digit spread. Vanderbilt won three of last four games to become bowl eligible, scoring 45-36-38 points in the wins; Commodores are 4-2 vs spread in games with single digit spread. Favorites covered this bowl three of last four years; Big X teams are 4-2 in last six tries here, with average total of 53.8 in last five. Five of last six Baylor games, four of last five Vandy games stayed under the total; Since 2011, SEC teams are 17-15-1 vs spread when playing Big X teams.

December 28
Music City Bowl
Favorites covered this bowl four of last six years, with average total of 54 the last four years. Auburn is in its 6th straight bowl; they lost four of last five bowls, losing as 10-point favorite LY— over last 20 years, are 5-5 vs spread as favorites in bowls. Tigers lost two of last three games, getting waxed by 52-21 by Alabama; Auburn is 5-0 when it scores more than 24 points, 2-4 when it doesn’t. Tigers are 3-1 this year in games with single digit spread. Purdue is in bowl for only 4th time in last 11 years; Boilers are 2-3 in last five games, giving up 545-487 yards in last two games. Under Brohm, Purdue is 6-2 vs spread as an underdog, 3-0 this season; they’re 5-3 vs spread in games with single digit spread. Under is 7-3 in last ten Auburn games. Last four years, SEC teams are 8-5 vs spread when playing a Big 14 opponent.

Pinstripe Bowl, Bronx
West Virginia QB Grier is sitting this game out so he doesn’t get hurt; spread moved 8 points since then. WVU’s backup QB threw 10 passes this year; how does he respond to this spot? Underdogs covered this game six of last seven years; average total in this bowl last four years is 62. Syracuse lost 36-3 on this field to Notre Dame last month; Orange won five of their last six games- they’re 5-1 vs spread this season in games with single digit spread. West Virginia lost four of its last five bowls; they lost last two regular season games 45-41/59-56, giving up 570 RY. This is first bowl for Syracuse since 2013; they beat WVU 38-14 (+4) in this game six years ago. Over is 5-2 in last seven Syracuse games, 5-0 in last five Mountaineer games. Warm, possible rainy weather expected in NYC for this.

Alamo Bowl
Underdogs covered this bowl last three years; Big X teams won those games. Average total in last four Alamo Bowls (played in dome) is 71.5. Iowa State won bowl LY, its first in five years; they split last four bowls, with both wins by a point. Cyclones held four of last five opponents to 24 or fewer points; under Campbell, they’re 15-8-1 as underdogs, 4-2 this year. Mike Leach’s offense struggled in bowls last three years, scoring 20-12-14 points, losing two of three games. Washington State won seven of last eight games, losing Apple Cup 28-15; Coogs are 6-2 vs spread in games with single digit spread. Under is 3-1-1 in last five ISU games, 3-1 in Wazzu’s last five. Since 2011, Big X teams are 17-12-1 vs spread when playing Pac-12 teams, 10-4-1 when an underdog.

December 29
Peach Bowl, Atlanta
Michigan is 2-0 vs Florida last four years, beating Gators 41-7 in Citrus Bowl three years ago, 33-17 in season opener LY. Mullen was 6-2 in bowls at Miss State, beating Michigan 52-14 in Gator Bowl in 2010. SEC-Big 14 teams have played 34 bowls the last eight years; this is only 6th team the Big 14 team has been favored (3-2 vs spread in first five). Underdogs covered four of last six Peach Bowls; average total in last five is 59.8. Michigan won 10 of its last 11 games overall, but lost 62-39 at Ohio State, giving up 567 yards. Under Harbaugh, Wolverines are 6-9 vs spread in games with single digit spread, 1-2 this year. Michigan lost four of its last five bowls. Florida won its last three games overall; they won six of last eight bowl games, but didn’t bowl LY. Over is 5-1-1 in last seven Florida games.

Belk Bowl, Charlotte
Favorites won last seven Belk Bowls (6-0-1 vs spread); ACC teams are 4-3 in those games, with average total of 71 in last five. South Carolina won five of its last six bowl games; they’re 3-3-1 vs spread in last seven bowls as a favorite. Carolina is 4-3 vs spread this year in games with single digit spread; they’re 3-2 vs spread as favorites, but they also allowed 44-35-56 points in last three SEC games. Five of SC’s 12 games were decided by four or less points. Virginia is 0-3 in bowls since ’06, losing 49-7 to Navy in bowl LY; Cavaliers lost three of last four games overall after a 6-2 start- they allowed 145.3 YR in last four games. Virginia is 4-1 vs spread as an underdog this year. SEC teams are 5-2 vs ACC teams this year (7-0 vs spread). Four of last five Virginia games went over.

Arizona Bowl, Tucson
Underdogs are 2-1 in this bowl; Nevada won the first one 28-23 (+3) three years ago. Average total in the three games is 54.3. Arkansas State won its last four games after a 4-4 start; they beat Nevada’s rival UNLV 27-20 at home in September. ASU is 7-0 when it allows 21 or fewer points, 1-4 when it allows 28+- they’re 3-3 vs spread in games with single digit spread this year. Red Wolves 228+ rushing yards in all four of their losses. Nevada won four of last five games after a 3-4 start, but lost 34-29 at rival UNLV. Wolf Pack is in bowl for first time in three years; they lost three of last four bowls, with only win here in ’15. Under is 8-2 in last ten ASU games, 6-2 in nevada’s last eight. Over last four years, Mountain west teams are 9-4-1 vs spread when playing a Sun Belt opponent.

Cotton Bowl
Favorites covered Cotton Bowl five of last seven years, with average total of 36.3 last three years. Clemson (-2.5) beat Notre Dame 24-22 at home in rain three years ago. Tigers are in national semis for 4th year in row; they won semi-final game two of last three years, are 6-2 in last eight bowls, but since ’05, are 1-6 vs spread as bowl favorites- last time they were favored in a bowl was 2011, when they lost 70-33 to West Virginia. Clemson is 12-0, with last eight wins by 20+ points; three of their last four games stayed under total. Notre Dame is 12-0, beating Michigan 24-17 in only game as an underdog this year. Fighting Irish won three of last four bowls; since ’09, they’re 5-2 vs spread as a double digit underdog. Under Kelly, they’re 17-18 as an underdog. Six of last nine ND games went over the total.

Orange Bowl
Underdog won five of last seven Orange Bowls; average total in last five Orange Bowls is 67. Sooners lost this game in 2012, 2015- they’re 2-4 in last six bowls, and lost in national semis two of last three years, but they did beat Alabama 45-31 (+15) in Sugar Bowl five years ago. Oklahoma scored 39+ points in each of its last nine games. Oklahoma won its last seven games since a 48-45 loss to Texas; over last 11 years, Sooners are 6-3 as an underdog. Alabama won national title two of last three years; they’re 3-5 vs spread in last eight bowls, all as a favorite. Last eight years, SEC teams are 17-15 vs spread when playing a Big X opponent, 9-6 when favored. Over is 7-1-1 in last nine Oklahoma games, 6-3-1 in Alabama’s last ten games. Last four years, SEC teams are 8-5 vs spread when playing a Big 14 opponent.

December 31
Military Bowl, Annapolis
Virginia Tech (+2.5) beat Cincinnati 33-17 in this bowl four years ago, but both teams have new coaches since then; underdogs are 3-2 vs spread in last five Military Bowls that didn’t involve host school Navy. Average total in this bowl last five years is 59.8. Cincinnati won four of last five games, are 2-3 vs spread in games with single digit spread. Virginia Tech won its last two games, scoring 34-41 points, after losing their previous four games. Hokies won three of last four bowls; Cincy is in its first bowl since ’15- they lost last three bowls, by 22-16-35 yards.

Sun Bowl, El Paso
Favorites covered four of last five Sun Bowls, with average total of 57.2 in those games. Stanford won this game two years ago, beating North Carolina 25-23. Cardinal won last three games after a 5-4 start; they’re 5-3-1 vs spread in games with single digit spread. Seven of last nine Stanford games went over total; four of last five Pitt games stayed under. Panthers lost last two games, 24-3/42-10; they’re 5-4 as an underdog. Cardinal won three of last four bowls, with last two both decided by two points. Pittsburgh lost their last three bowls, giving up 36.7 ppg.

Red Box Bowl, Santa Clara
Favorites covered this bowl five of last seven years; average total last five years is 60.4. Michigan State lost two of last three games, scoring only 6-6-14 points; Spartans’ last seven games stayed under total- they completed less than half their passes in last three games. Oregon is 8-1 when it scores 30+ points, 0-3 when it doesn’t; five of their last seven games stayed under total. Ducks are 2-5 this season in games with a single digit spread. MSU won four of last five bowls, beating two Pac-12 teams; Ducks lost last three bowls, giving up 42.3 ppg.

Liberty Bowl, Memphis
Underdogs are 3-2 vs spread in this bowl last five years, with average total, 59.2. SEC teams won this game four of last five years. Missouri won its last four games, scoring 39.8 ppg; Tigers have senior QB- they’re 0-3 when scoring less than 30 points. Oklahoma State lost five of last seven games after a 4-1 start; they allowed 31+ points in last seven games. Four of last five Mizzou games stayed under. Missouri won three of last four bowls, none of which were decided by fewer than 10 points; OSU won three of last four bowls; they were underdog in three of those games.

Holiday Bowl, San Diego
Utah coach Whittingham is 11-1 in bowl games; Utah scored 33.2 ppg in winning last five bowls. Northwestern is 4-10 all-time in bowls but 3-1 in last four, winning 31-24/24-23 last two years; Underdogs covered this game five of last six games; Big 14 teams won this game last three years. Northwestern won seven of last nine games after a 1-3 start; Wildcats are 6-2 vs spread as an underdog- five of their last seven games stayed under total. Utah won seven of last nine games after a 2-2 start; Utes are 8-0 this season when they score more than 24 points.

Gator Bowl, Jacksonville
Favorites covered three of last four Gator Bowls, with SEC teams winning three of those games. Average total in last five Gator Bowls is 53.2. NC State won last three games, scoring 52-34-58 points; Wolfpack is 3-3 in games with single digit spread. Texas A&M won its last three games, winning last game in seven OT’s; Aggies are 2-3 in games with single digit spread. State won three of last four bowls, winning last two years, 41-17/52-31. A&M lost last three bowls, by 6-5-3 points; average totals in Aggies’ last five bowls is 79.6. State (+11) upset Jimbo Fisher’s Florida St squad 27-21 in Tallahassee LY.

NORTH TEXAS vs. UTAH STATE (New Mexico Bowl)...Mean Green closed season dropping last 5 and 7 of last 8 vs. number. Meanwhile Utags 8-3-1 vs. points this term, though failed to cover last two.
Utah State, based on team trends.

TULANE vs. UL-LAFAYETTE (Cure Orlando Bowl)...Wave failed to cover last three and 5 of last 7 this season. Also no covers last five as chalk. Ragin’ Cajuns roared down stretch with 8 covers in last 10 and covers 5 of last 6 as dog. ULL 4-1 SU and vs. line in bowls since 2011.
UL-Lafayette, based on team trends.

ARIZONA STATE vs. FRESNO STATE (Las Vegas Bowl)...ASU 3-3 vs. line away from Tempe this season, but 5-2 overall as dog. Also 1-3 vs. spread last four bowls. Fresno 9-4 vs. line TY, 19-6-2 vs. number since Jeff Tedford arrived LY. Also 11-2-2 vs. points away from home since LY.
Fresno State, based on team trends.

EASTERN MICHIGAN vs. GEORGIA SOUTHERN (Camellia Bowl)...With EMU a slight dog at latest check, will note Eagles 4-1 mark getting points this season and 18-3-1 as dog since 2016! Also 16-3 last 19 vs. spread away from Ypsilanti. GS, however, covered 9 of 12 this season.
Eastern Michigan, if dog, based on team trends.

MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE vs. APPALACHIAN STATE (New Orleans Bowl)...Middle won its bowl LY in Camellia but only 1-4 vs. line last five bowls. Blue Raiders did cover 5 of last 6 this season and last four as dog. App only 2 covers last 7 this season (2-3-2), though has won SU last three bowls and covered 2 of those.
Slight to MTSU, based on team trends.

Remember the 3 G's Gambling, Golf, Girls not in any particular order.....

NORTHERN ILLINOIS vs. UAB (Boca Raton Bowl)...NIU 0-5 SU and vs. line last five bowls since 2011 season. Blazers 9-4 vs. spread this season, 17-8-1 since resuming football in 2017 (though just 7-7 vs. number away from Legion Field).
UAB, based on team trends.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19

Matchup Skinny Edge

OHIO vs. SAN DIEGO STATE (Frisco Bowl)...SDSU just 3–9 vs. line this season, but 3-0 as dog and 0-8 as chalk! Aztecs 6-0 as dog since 2016. Solich 4-2 vs. points last six bowls but just 1-2 as chalk away from home this season.
Slight to San Diego State, based on team trends.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20

Matchup Skinny Edge

MARSHALL at SOUTH FLORIDA (Gasparilla Bowl)...Herd has won and covered last six bowl games since 2009 (Doc Holliday 5-0). Marshall 8-5 vs. spread away since last season, though failed to cover last three away TY. Marshall also on 11-5 “over” run. Bulls only 6-12 last 18 vs. spread since mid 2019 and lost last five SU this season. Also 1-5 vs. line at Raymond James Stadium this season.
Marshall, based on team trends.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21

Matchup Skinny Edge

FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL vs. TOLEDO (Bahamas Bowl)...Butch Davis 9-3 vs. line this season, 14-6 last 20 on board. Golden Panthers 3-0 as dog this campaign and 9-4 getting points since last season. Toledo no wins or covers last two bowls, Rockets 3-7 last 10 vs. points against non-MAC foes.
FIU, based on team trends.

BYU vs. WESTERN MICHIGAN (Idaho Potato Bowl)...BYU no covers last four bowls since 2013. But Cougs did cover last four this season and were 4-0 as DD chalk in 2018. WMU 1-4 SU and vs. line in bowls since 2008 and Broncos 2-6 vs. spread last 8 in 2018. WMU 2-4 vs. spread last 6 as dog.
Slight to BYU, based on team trends.

SATURDAY, DEC. 22

Matchup Skinny Edge

WAKE FOREST vs. MEMPHIS (Birmingham Bowl)...Wake only 3-6 as dog this season but Clawson was 10-2-1 in role entering this season. Deacs 4-1 SU, 4-0-1 vs. line last five bowls including wins past two seasons. Memphis no wins or covers last three years in bowls, only 2-4 vs. points away from home this season.
Wake Forest, based on team trends.

HOUSTON vs. ARMY (Armed Forces Bowl)...Army back in this game for a second straight year. Black Knights have won SU last two bowls (1-1 vs. line), 10-5-2 last 17 on board since mid 2017. Also 6-1-1 last 8 away from Michie Stadium. Cougs 3-8 vs. points last 11 away from home, 0-2 SU and vs. line last two years in bowls.
Army, based on team trends.

BUFFALO vs. TROY (Dollar General Bowl)...Bulls 9-4 vs. line this season, 18-6-2 last 26 on board. Also 6-2-1 last nine on board vs. non-MAC. Troy 8-3-1 vs. number this season, 9-3-1 as dog since 2015. Trojans have won and covered past three bowls, including past two seasons.
Slight to Troy, based on team trends.

LA TECH at HAWAII (Hawaii Bowl)...Hawaii 3-4 vs. spread at home this season, 6-13-1 vs. points at home since Nick Rolovich took over in 2016. Bows 9-20-1 vs. points since late in 2016 season. La Tech closed slowly this season by dropping 3 of last 4 vs. line, but 9-4 against line last 13 away from home, and Skip Holtz 17-6 as dog since 2014. Holtz 4-0 SU, 3-1 vs. line in bowls with Bulldogs.
La Tech, based on team trends.

Last edited by StarDust Bum; 12-31-2018 at 12:28 PM.

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